Dear ladies,
I am looking at these two options as my veins have started to take a hit only after 5 infusions (I’m doing weekly carbo, still waiting for a decision on 2nd agent). I was leaning towards the picc line but then I found out it needs to reach close to the heart and can cause all sorts of complications.
In your experience, which of the two poses less risk in terms of heart issues, thrombosis, infection, etc. ? Thanks Xx
No knowledge or experience of a picc line but got my port in two years ago, great decision. Saw me through gem/carbo and weekly taxol without a blip. Needs flushing every 12 weeks of you're off treatment. Infection is always a risk but if you take your temperature regularly and act on any redness etc. you can act fast should you need to.
That's interesting,.I've been told every six weeks 🤔
I've had a port going on 4 years with no issues. I slather with lidocaine, cover with plastic for completely pain free access. Likewise, I had a Pic line in the hospital. That was a bad experience. Hope this helps.
Hi Barbara36,
Thanks for your reply. Can you share why you had a bad experience with the picc line? Thanks in advance.
Wish I had a picture. Mind you I was in the hospital and mostly out of it, so I don't remember any pain. What I do remember is my right arm twice the normal size, sore and black n blue. During a procedure my artery ruptured at the picc line. Could've easily bleed out. Took 6 weeks for my arm to stop hurting and look normal.
Goodness, that’s awful! Was it an emergency? Did you end up in the hospital because of it or were you already there?
I was in the hospital at the time in an induced coma. The six weeks was after i came and became aware. I could've lost my arm. Why they didn't just use my port I'll never know. I've heard from doctors, when my mother was sick, to steer clear. "Very dangerous. Prone to infection.".
Go with the port.
I hear you. To be honest I am lost. I’ve been researching both for a few days and apart from the risk of infection, thrombosis and embolism, what I’m mostly worried about is the fact that the end of the tube needs to be placed at the junction between the cava vein and the heart. Which means the chemo agent goes basically through the heart almost undiluted, or less so than if it was injected somewhere else in the body. I am prone to heart inflammation and I had bad reactions to 2 taxane agents when my blood pressure went to 60. I simply can’t think of any scenario in which getting chemo straight into my heart can go well for me long term. Maybe once or twice if I’m lucky. At this point I’m considering asking if a port can be placed in the groin! I read somewhere that it might be possible..
I hated the picc line on treatment one. You can't get it wet so no showers or baths without a sleeve on and definitely no swimming. It pulls you are when you're sleeping and I had to get mine refitted half way through. It was a big trauma for me during chemo and a contestant reminder physically for me and others.I had the port fitted four months ago and it's been so easy. I've been swimming with it and it's a tiny scarnin my right chest. Yes it's a pain that you have it forever but I know I'm now in remission cycles so I will need it again.
I agree. My port has been with me for 10 years, as I continue to have various maintenance therapies. I’m very happy with it.
Had a PICC fitted after trying to put it off, found it fine, obv you have to wrap the site when showering/bathing but was a godsend as all my veins had packed up. Would have again if needed.
Personally a port is the way to go . I’m in the states I had it put in with general sedation an hour before each infusion I put a lidocaine cream and cover with plastic wrap never feel anything when accessing it.
Hi Saintgermain,
Why do you put lidocaine on it?
It numbs it so when it's accessed for chemo you feel no pain.
Hi Lara, I have my port since 2019 & found it great . As the other ladies said you can shower & swim no bother. They can take your bloods from it too if you don't want to go to the phlebotomist before you have your chemo . I recurred in 2020 & it worked again with no problems. They were thinking of removing it last year as I was on Niraparib at the time , so the port was only been used when been flushed , but I was hesitant to have it removed just in case it was needed again . I was so glad I didn't let them, as I recurred again in Jan & have just finished chemo in June & am presently on maintenance infusions, so the port has served me well. It has never become infected or blocked in all that time . I was also in hospital last Nov & they were able to give me antibiotics through the port so I would recommend one rather than a picc line. Good luck with the rest of your treatment I hope it all goes well 💐
Hi. I’ve had my port for six years. I love it. I used lidocaine only for frontline; haven’t needed it since. I get it flushed every twelve weeks when I have blood tests and see my doctor.
I have not had a picc, but I am a nurse in the US. Piccs have a bigger risk of infections, and you have to use more precautions. I have had a port for four years and I don’t even feel a stick when they draw blood from it or flush it. One day before chemo I forgot to put on my lidocaine and it felt no different.
all I can say is I love my chest port and it makes infusion so much easier. My brother had a PICC line for a non-cancerous Difficult issue, and it got clogged quite a few times. I’ve never had a problem with my port. Good luck to you.
Lara,
I think either is a good choice and will make your like much easier than it is now.
Ports tend to be for longer term use and PIICs shorter. You will have a general anaesthetic fir a Piet but local for a PIIC.
I got a PIIC and am so glad I did. I was just as freaked out about a tube going h to my heart as you are, unnecessarily really.
Strangely my latest blog post was on this very subject so you might find it a useful read,
open.substack.com/pub/thesi...
Good luck!
Hi Teddyand Gimli,
Thanks for replying and for sharing your blog. I already have heart palpitations and my blood pressure has started going up due chemo and the premeds they’re giving me. I also have a rare autoimmune disease called Behcet’s which makes me prone to thrombosis and heart inflammation. I’m worried the PICC line will significantly contribute to this risk. Also, the way I understand it, the line makes delivering the chemo drugs almost directly into the heart, or very close to it, doesn’t it? I realize the arm is not far and once the drugs are in the blood stream they go everywhere, but both the port and the picc line seem like shooting the full dose straight to the heart. Did you feel anything when having the treatment or immediately after?
Hi Lara,
No I felt absolutely nothing when I received my chemo via PIIC. Unlike via cannula .
With your individual health conditions I would definitely recommend discussing your concerns with your oncologist.
Wishing you all the best in your choices.
Hi Lara. I've been on treatment during the past 3 years. Half of that time having canulas and lots of vein issues. Then it was suggested I have a port fitted. What a game changer, it's so much smoother having bloods taken and treatment infused using the port. After initially getting used to it, and a little healing period I've found it brilliant. I had it fitted in June last year. I'm told mine is a small one, and tends to wobble a bit when the needle is inserted but it truly is far better than struggling with veins in the hand and arm. X
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